Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 3403 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Integrity of the bushland will be studied at the detailed design stage and options will be explored. They range from overpasses to fencing, fauna friendly culverts as underpasses and such like. The chosen solution will depend on the types of animals likely to move across the areas and the feasibility of the alternatives. We will be looking to minimise constraints on the movement of the echidna, for example. While echidnas have been shown to range over areas of over 200 hectares, an area of around 50 hectares is accepted as indicative of the usual size of such an animal's range. Studies on echidnas elsewhere have shown that they will use culverts to cross roads. So we can make sure they are protected.

The future transport corridor, with appropriate measures included to provide connectivity and safe access alternatives between the bushland areas, is expected to have minimal impact on fauna movement. The eastern alignment is expected to affect about three or four hectares of bushland, or about 2 to 3 per cent of the total area comprising the O'Connor hills and Bruce Ridge east and south of the AIS. We have consulted with the AIS. To minimise impacts on the Bruce Ridge, the government will ensure at the detailed design stage that the road is kept as close as possible to the southern boundary of the Australian Institute of Sport eastern car park and Bruce Stadium north of the fire trail in that area. The AIS will lose a few car parks, but they also want to make sure that we minimise the impact as much as possible.

South of the Barton Highway and the future Gungahlin Drive, the extension will pass through an area known to contain a small remnant population of the legless lizard. This species is now protected in significant grassland reserves established by this government following its review of the Gungahlin Town Centre.

An issue which is quite important for many people who live near the area is the noise. As I have said, the preferred alignment is well separated from the residential areas of North Lyneham, Lyneham and O'Connor by the O'Connor hills and the ridge. It is much further away from, and will have far less impact on, the residential accommodation at the Australian Institute of Sport than any western alternative will have.

Many opposed to the eastern alignment argue for the west. The western alignment would be much closer to Kaleen. The gap between Kaleen and Lyneham is about 600 metres. If the road were shifted some 500 metres from Kaleen that would put it within 100 metres of Lyneham. When you are planning these things, you have to seek the appropriate balance.

On the issue of the protection of cultural heritage, a detailed assessment of both the eastern and western alignments was undertaken during the preparation of the preliminary assessment in 1997. The government is fully aware of the locations and significance of the recorded cultural heritage sites. Elimination of the Barry Drive link means that three sites of cultural heritage significance are no longer threatened. In particular, an Aboriginal scar tree will now be conserved.

When you do the work, when you consult with the public, when you try to work out what you need to build for the transport infrastructure for a modern city, roads will sometimes go in places where people do not think they should. My job as the planning minister, based on advice and public consultation and taking all matters into consideration, is to work out what works best for the majority of Canberrans. I believe that the eastern route,

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .